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James Levine, one of America’s most renowned conductors, is suing New York’s Metropolitan Opera after being sacked earlier this week following a three month investigation into allegations of sexual harassment.

In his writ Levine, 74, says he has “has clearly and unequivocally denied any wrongdoing in connection with those allegations.”

He is also seeking damages in excess of $5.8 million (£4.2 million) based on the 10-year contract he held as the Met’s Music Director emeritus which was worth $400,000 a year and $27,000 for each performance.

Levine argues there was nothing in his contract which allowed the Met to dismiss him.

He also alleges that Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, sought to “completely erase his legacy from the organisation.”

General view of the audience and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, with American artistic director and conductor James LevineCredit:
Getty

Since then two more men came forward to accuse Levine of sexual misconduct which, they allege, took place in the 1960s and 1980s.

Levine’s allegations against the Met were denied in a statement by its lawyer, Betsy Plevan

“There is no basis for Mr. Levine’s assertion that the Met was on a vendetta against him, when in fact the Met supported him through prolonged and repeated periods of illness that kept him from the podium, at one point spanning two entire seasons (2011-12 and 2012-13).

“The Met only transitioned him from Music Director to Music Director Emeritus at the end of the 2015-16 season when it became obvious that Levine was no longer physically capable of carrying out his duties as Music Director.

“Nonetheless, the Met continued to support him in the position of Music Director Emeritus, a position created especially for him, and only suspended its relationship with him when Levine was accused of multiple acts of sexual misconduct, charges that have been corroborated following a more than three-month investigation.”